Bengal Showdown: EC vs. Didi Again Over Suspended Officials, No Action Taken!

• West Bengal government and Election Commission clash again over suspension of seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).
• EC alleges partial implementation of suspension order; CM Mamata Banerjee removed officials from election duties but assigned them to other state administrative roles.
• Officials were suspended on February 15 under Section 13CC for misconduct, neglect of duty, and misuse of powers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
• EC also ordered departmental inquiries, but state's action raises concerns about the effectiveness of these inquiries.
• Model Code of Conduct enforcement for upcoming 2026 assembly elections will make departmental inquiries unavoidable, with EC gaining administrative control.